06/10/2026
WORLD SIGHT DAY 2026
NATIONAL FLAG-OFF ADDRESS
By the President, Nigerian Optometric Association
Theme: “Love Your Eyes, Every Story Counts”
Distinguished colleagues, partners in eye health, members of the Nigerian Optometric Association, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the national flag-off of the 2026 World Sight Day activities in Nigeria.
On behalf of the National Executive Council and the entire membership of the Nigerian Optometric Association, I warmly welcome you to this important occasion.
World Sight Day is more than a date on the global health calendar. It is an opportunity to remind individuals, families, communities and governments that good vision is fundamental to education, productivity, independence, dignity and quality of life.
This year’s theme, “Love Your Eyes, Every Story Counts,” is a powerful reminder that every pair of eyes carries a story.
Behind every child who can read, every student who can learn, every worker who can earn a living, every driver who can navigate safely, and every older person who can remain independent, there is a story of vision.
Unfortunately, millions of people continue to live with avoidable or treatable vision impairment because of inadequate access to eye-care services, limited awareness, late presentation and economic barriers.
As optometrists, therefore, our responsibility goes beyond examining eyes and prescribing spectacles. We must promote prevention, early detection, appropriate referral, treatment and lifelong eye health.
The Nigerian Optometric Association remains committed to making eye health more accessible and relevant to every Nigerian. Through our members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, we continue to support community eye-care programmes, school eye-health initiatives, public education, vision screening, referral services and partnerships aimed at reducing avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
This year’s World Sight Day activities provide an opportunity to take eye health closer to the people. We encourage our state chapters, practitioners, partners and stakeholders to adapt the national programme to their local realities and ensure that no community is left behind.
I particularly encourage every Nigerian to make eye health a personal priority.
Love your eyes.
Have your eyes examined regularly. Protect your eyes from preventable injury and harmful practices. Seek professional care when you notice changes in your vision. Encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same.
To our partners in government, development agencies, professional organisations, the private sector, civil society and the media, I thank you for your continued collaboration.
The challenge of avoidable blindness is too large for any single organisation to tackle alone. Together, we can build a Nigeria where quality eye care is accessible, affordable and sustainable for all.
To my fellow optometrists, I urge you to use this year’s World Sight Day campaign not merely as an event, but as an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to professional excellence, public health and service to humanity.
Let us remember that every patient is a story, every eye is precious, and every effort to preserve sight can change a life.
DECLARATION
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
It is my firm conviction that the preservation of sight is a shared responsibility.
As we commence this year’s national activities, let us renew our commitment to making eye health an integral part of Nigeria’s broader health and development agenda.
On behalf of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Optometric Association, I thank all our members, partners and stakeholders for their dedication to this important cause.
I hereby officially flag off the 2026 World Sight Day activities of the Nigerian Optometric Association in Nigeria, with the theme:
“LOVE YOUR EYES, EVERY STORY COUNTS.”
May this campaign inspire greater awareness, stronger partnerships, earlier detection of eye conditions, improved access to eye care and, ultimately, a Nigeria where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy good vision.
I wish us all a successful World Sight Day 2026.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, OD, MPH, FAAO, FNOA
President, Nigerian Optometric Association
